Life Lessons from Gayle Forman (Publisher Giveaway!)

I've been a huge fan of Gayle Forman for many years. I first came across her novel, If I Stay back in 2009 and knew immediately after reading it in one sitting that I discovered an inspirational author. Forman not only shares stories about characters that deal with real issues and painful decisions, but she does so in a way that you walk away a little bit more compassionate, a tad wiser, and a ton more emotional because of the journey she takes you on with her advice and perspective.

For my post, I'm going back to the books that connected me with this author, and I'll be sharing a few quotes that moved me in more ways than one… I hope you enjoy…

If I Stay by Gayle Forman

1. “If you stay, I'll do whatever you want. I'll quit the band, go with you to New York. But if you need me to go away, I'll do that, too. I was talking to Liz and she said maybe coming back to your old life would be too painful, that maybe it'd be easier for you to erase us. And that would suck, but I'd do it. I can lose you like that if I don't lose you today. I'll let you go. If you stay.”

This scene in the book was like an emotional punch when reading how much Adam Wilde was willing to sacrifice for the person he loved. It's not always easy to make those painful decisions, but if you truly care and love that person, no sacrifice is too small.

2. “Love, it never dies. It never goes away, it never fades, so long as you hang on to it. Love can make you immortal.”

I believe that someone who has lost a person they truly loved can understand this statement completely. When I first read this caption in If I Stay, it reminded me of a painful loss and Forman was right… just because the person is gone, the love you shared will always be there.

Where She Went by Gayle Forman

3. "I want to cut through the space that separates us, measured in feet – not miles, not continents, not years - and I want to touch her to make sure it’s really her... but I can’t touch her, it’s a privilege that’s been revoked. Against my will but still."

For those that read this book, this passage is pretty emotional. It represents a promise that Adam Wilde made in book 1 that has caused him incredible pain. He kept his promise and that reminded me that your word is who you are. When you make a promise, keeping it defines who you are as a person.

4. "I needed to hate someone and you’re the one I love the most, so it fell on you."

This statement is so damn true! I hate to admit it, but I'm sure most of us have hurt someone we truly love. It's typically the ones we love the most that we tend to hurt the deepest. It doesn't make it right… it just makes it true...

I also have a couple of music selections that I came across when reading these books several years ago. To this day, they tend to remind me of the emotions experienced when reading these books. 

What life lessons have YOU learned from a Gayle Forman book?

Be sure to add Gayle Forman's books to your bookshelf!

If I Stay

Where She Went

Just One Day

Just One Year

Just One Night

I Was Here

To celebrate the Paperback release of I Was Here by Gayle Forman… another amazing novel that carries a ton of inspiration and emotion… Penguin Young Readers is hosting a giveaway. Be sure to enter for a chance to win. Open to US Resident only.

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